GPS watches

Like you, I'm also into PNDs like gps watches. I've owned a Casio, Suunto, and now this Garmin Fenix 1st version. I like to use it as an emergency backup with its gps features just in case, not to mention its meteorological functions like temperature, pressure, etc. and other features. I'm considering getting any of the latest Fenix 5 series like the Chronos, but the price is the turnoff.

I've had the original Garmin Fenix for 5 years now. I don't wear it every day but do when I travel. I like the automatic time change feature which is quite helpful when flying. It works very well everywhere except parts of the state of Arizona. I keep the time zone map current so I'm not sure why. I'm going to have a talk with Craigw to see if he can straighten it out (LOL).

I also find the Fenix helpful when hiking without my handheld GPS. Retracing your steps is a snap with the breadcrumb trail feature. The map however is very basic and somewhat difficult to read due to the small screen size. It is handy for getting your bearings though when zoomed in.

The Fenix is also compatible with Garmin's Tempe and other Ant+ sensors for remote reading of temperature, cadence etc. I use it frequently when cycling. I also download my tracks to Basecamp for future reference.

Lately, I've been eyeing the Fenix Chronos but at $900+, It's a bit pricey for my taste.

I've never been tempted by a full function GPS watch. But the comment in your post about getting time synchronization from GPS got me thinking. It seems to me that a watch which made minimal use of the GPS signal just for time synchronization (and thus really only needed to speak to one GPS satellite once a day or so briefly) could easily have low enough power consumption to power itself with the sort of solar cell battery arrangement my Casio "atomic" watch uses. That would work worldwide, although it might have more trouble inside more buildings than the WWVB receiving "atomic" sort.

AZ is one of the states that does not recognize the time changes

I have the original fenix, and still like it. My wife and I share it, very easy to do that. We use it for running, hiking, cycling, etc. No problems.

We are thinking of replacing the fenix with Apple Watches.

While most of the state of Arizona does not recognize DST, the Navajo Nation does. The Navajos occupy about 15% of the land area in northeast AZ which includes many tourist attractions. Unfortunately, the time zone map in my Garmin Fenix watch is not entirely accurate in this area.

A brief history and map can be found here:

http://cronkitenewsonline.com/2012/03/what-time-is-it-in-ari...